TechNote (Archived)

Director 7.0.2 sound playback options comparison

Director 7.0.2 sound playback options, by cast member or media type:

Member type	Play	Pause	Stop	Random access	Vary pitch / direction	Loop	Can set volume level	Cue points	Can be com- pressed	Stream from disk	Play in Shock- wave	Stream from a URL	Mix with sound & SWA	Mix with QT 3 / 4 sound
Sound (internal)	X		X			X	X	X	X		X		X	X
Sound (linked)	X		X				X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Shockwave Audio	X	X	X				X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
MP3 Audio (inserted as SWA)	X	X	X				X		X	X	X	X	X	X
QT media via QT3 or QT4	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	3	X	X
AVI media via VFW	X	X	X	X	X	X	X		X	X	5		6	6
AVI media via QT3 or QT4	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	3	X	X
Flash Asset sound	1		1	1		1	1		1	1	X	1	4	4
Xtras (Midi, MPEG-1, WAV/AIF, ActiveX, etc.)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2		2	2	2		2	2

Notes:

X = Supports the specific feature or configuration, subject to your testing on your target platform.
[ ] = Blank cells in table indicate the specific feature or configuration is not applicable or not supported.
1 = Capability depends on the Flash movie design.
2 = Capability depends on the Xtra, but most Xtras don't mix with Director sounds or digital video soundtracks. One exception is the Flash Asset Xtra; see #4 below. Also, on Windows, an Xtra or ActiveX control's sound can mix with other sounds in Director if Microsoft's DirectSound is installed, and if the Xtra/ActiveX control is compliant with DirectSound, and if DirectorSoundis enabled in the movie by using the Lingo 'set the soundDevice = "DirectSound"'. Refer to: "Sound mixing in Director 7 and Shockwave 7" (TechNote 13654). Note that not all Xtras are designed for use in Shockwave; for more information, refer to "Xtras downloading overview" (TechNote 13653.)
3 = Streaming QT media from a URL requires Apple's QuickTime 4 or higher system extensions.
4 = Refer to the Lingo "soundMixMedia" described in "What's new in Director 7.0.2".
5 = "AVI as AVI" (not via QT 3 or 4): On Windows only, and AVI does not stream from a URL. Refer to the note at the end of "Preloading (downloading) linked QT media in Director 7.x & Shockwave 7.x via QT 3 & 4" (TechNote 13122.)
6 = If Microsoft's DirectSound for Windows is installed and enabled in movie by using the Lingo 'set the soundDevice = "DirectSound"'. Refer to TechNote 13654.
Director 7.x for Windows users refer also to TechNote 13654.
Director 7.x supports Apple's QuickTime 3 & 4 system extensions. Director 7.x does not support or require the QuickTime 2 system extensions.
For information on using digital video and digital video soundtrack media in Director, refer to "Digital video tips & tricks for Director" (TechNote 12109).
Director 6.5 users refer to "Director 6.5 sound playback options comparison" (TechNote 13416").

Technote revision history:
8/25/99 - Added: MP3 Audio inserted as SWA can be paused (using the Lingo "pause member".) Added: References to sound mixing with the Flash Asset Xtra using the new Lingo "soundMixMedia". Added: "Play in Shockwave" column. Added: References to 'set the soundDevice = "DirectSound"'.